Saudi former minister, speaking to Israeli newspaper, denounces violence against Israel as 'un-Islamic'

A former Saudi minister said on Tuesday that there can be no justification for any violence, even in Israel.

Muhammad Bin abdel-Kareem Aleissa, the former Saudi justice minister, was reported by Israeli newspaper Maariv to have said, "any act of violence or terrorism that tries to hide behind religion has no justification whatsoever, not even in Israel."

Aleissa was appointed last year as the secretary-general to the Muslim World League, and is reportedly close to the Saudi Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Salman.

The Muslim World League is an international organisation, that while is based in Mecca, is not formally affiliated with Saudi Arabia.

Since his appointment, Aleissa has been vocally supportive of the reforms pushed by Bin Salman in his move to "fight extremist Islam". In a talk given before the Diplomatic Academy, he reiterated his country’s commitment to fighting terrorism and those that use religion to serve their own agenda.

When asked by the Maariv correspondent about acts in Israel or Jewish communities around the world that are framed as part of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Aleissa replied, "any act of violence or terrorism that tries to hide behind religion is unacceptable. Islam cannot be tied to politics, it is a religion of love, tolerance and respecting the other".

Aleissa added that conferences are being organised in the United States with various Jewish communities, and Saudi Arabia is keen on establishing friendly relationships.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has unveiled reforms and promised to bring Saudi Arabia "back to moderate Islam" in a bid to attract foreign investment to the country.

Although some have welcomed the reforms as essential and long overdue, others believe the new laws are aimed at repression of the rulers' critics.